In 2004, Hillsdale College awarded its first scholarship
designated for a young man whose involvement in the Boy Scouts of America led
him to attain the status of Eagle Scout. Friends and donors gave generously for
the scholarship because they recognized that the qualities of an Eagle
Scout—leadership, character, service—are exactly what Hillsdale seeks in its
students.
Four other scholarships for students with Scouting
experience have since been established at the College. These awards not only
provide students with financial assistance but also encourage them to continue
supporting the Boy Scouts by serving as mentors in local troops.
The Tantris Scholarship is the newest award and was given
for the first time this fall. Recipients must have attained the rank of Eagle
Scout or demonstrate a plan and progress toward achieving it within a year of
arriving at Hillsdale College, maintain a 3.0 grade-point average, enroll in
one history course in both his freshman and sophomore year, and volunteer in
support of a local Boy Scout troop or Scouting activities at Hillsdale.
Such support has included building snowshoes and Klondike
sleds, teaching first aid and knot tying, supervising field trips, and
contributing to board reviews of potential Eagle Scouts. Future endeavors might
include a Venturing program focusing on high adventure, trips, and
volunteerism. In fact, the gift pledged for the Tantris Scholarship includes a
provision for an equipment fund to facilitate programs like a Venturing crew at
Hillsdale.
In addition to the Tantris Scholarship, there is the Vera R.
Mueller Scout Scholarship, which holds the same criteria as the original Eagle
Scout Scholarship—recipients must be academically qualified Eagle Scouts who
maintain a 3.0 grade-point average and volunteer with local Boy Scout troops.
A fourth award, the Albert R. Witkins Memorial Endowed
Scholarship Fund for Eagle Scouts, is given to select students who are currently
involved in Scouting, have earned the rank of Eagle Scout, demonstrate a
commitment to giving back to the Boy Scouts, and have displayed outstanding
Scout spirit.
For those with past or current involvement with the Boy
Scouts who did not attain the rank of Eagle Scout, there is the Morris T.
Norwood Scholarship Fund for Scout Honor. Recipients must maintain a 3.0
grade-point average, work at least ten hours a week, be involved in community
service, and demonstrate leadership.
Finally, there is a special scholarship given by the Denver
Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The John and Marjory Madden
Scholarship grants an award, which Hillsdale College matches, directly to an
Eagle Scout or an equivalent female scout from the Denver area who participates
in the council’s mentoring program.
Many of Hillsdale College’s Scouting students—in the past
five years, there have been nearly 40 Eagle Scouts—are eligible for these
scholarships, and there are numerous requests for consideration. However, the
funds available limit the amount that can be awarded to incoming students.
Currently, nine Hillsdale students receive a Scouting scholarship.
If you are interested in funding a Boy Scouts scholarship,
or for more information, please contact Vice President for Institutional
Advancement John Cervini at jcervini@hillsdale.edu or (517) 607-2670.
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